Press fitting for pipes having a check ring

Abstract

A press fitting for pipes includes a socket with an insert opening for a pipe end. An annular groove-shaped space present in a press wall part of a press region is delimited by a limitation edge. A gripping ring is placed in the groove-shaped space. The press region is deformable from a non-compressed state a compressed state by a radially inward directed pressing action causing the press wall part to radially compress and the gripping ring to grip the pipe end. A check ring is provided which has one or more break segments and a coupling part. The break segments can be forced to break free by the pressing action, while the coupling part then comes to lie visible at least partly in between the limitation edge and the pipe end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT / NL2016 / 050618, filed Sep. 6, 2016, which claims the benefit of Netherlands Application No. NL 2015413, filed Sep. 8, 2015, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to press fittings for pipes which have sockets with compressible press regions inside which a distinctive gripping ring is placed such that pipe ends can be inserted therein after which the press fittings can be press fitted from a non-compressed state into a compressed state by means of a suitable pressing action exerted upon those press regions by complementary pressing tools.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Such press fittings are known in a wide variety of embodiments. For example EP-0.955.493 discloses a press fitting which comprises a socket with a central insertion opening into which a complementary pipe end can be inserte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a check ring with break segments that are designed to break free automatically when the fitting is pressed together. The break segments help to confirm that the fitting is properly installed. They can also be used to at least partially shield a gap between the fitting and the pipe, minimizing the accumulation of dirt and debris. The break segments can be formed by segments that lie alongside the limitation edge or the gripping ring. When the check ring is coupled to the fitting, the break segments extend at least partly outside or inside the insertion space, making them easier to remove when broken free. The break segments can be formed by arcuate semi-ring-shaped wall segments with an axial thickness of less than 2 mm. Finally, the one or more break segments can be used to force the check ring to break free by exerting a radially inward directed pushing force onto the outer edges of the break segments during the pressing action.

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage herewith is that it cannot be checked whether or not the fitting has already been properly pressed.

Furthermore, during insertion and during the pressing action, the pipe end has a tendency to get misaligned with a central axis of the socket.

During the pressing action this has the drawback that a pressed assembly of press fitting and pipe end is obtained which is not neatly lined-up but which run oblique relative to each other.

Another disadvantage is that the insertion of the pipe end may be hindered somewhat by the slanting outwardly projecting grasping teeth of the gripping ring.

Yet another disadvantage is that a gap remains at a front side of the fitting between the flared edge and the inserted pipe end.

Here substantially the same disadvantages go as for EP-0.955.493, that is to say that it cannot be checked whether the fitting has already been pressed or not, and that it is rather unpredictable to properly position the inserted pipe end inside the socket of the press fitting and keep it properly positioned therein during pressing.

Furthermore, their check rings are relative vulnerable to getting damaged even before a pressing action has taken place at all.

This could give an installer the wrong impression that a pressing action has already been performed.

It can also be the case that during production someone had forgotten to place the check ring in the first place, or that during transport of the fitting the check ring has accidentally fallen off.

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